Religion in Poland
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Religion in Poland has changed throughout centuries of history of Poland (see also historical demography of Poland). Currently most Poles, by far, adhere to the Christian faith, with about 88% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church[1] (according to the official state statistics for year 2006). Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys immense social prestige and political influence. [2] Nonetheless, the church is widely respected by both believers and nonbelievers, who see it as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.[3] The rest of the population consists mainly of Eastern Orthodox (about 506 000), Jehovah's Witnesses (about 220 000) and various Protestant (about 159 000, with about 76 000 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland) religious minorities.[4]
According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005;[5]
- 80% of Polish citizens responded that "they believe there is a God" (which was the fifth highest result in the European Union).
- 15% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
- 3% answered that "don't know".
- 2% answered that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".
According to the most recent CBOS opinion poll published in the fall of 2008;[6]
- 94% of Poles claim "they believe in God",
- 6% claim they "do not believe in God or do not know",
- 52% of believers claim "they attend to mass, religious meetings etc. at least once a week",
- while 17% do so "once or twice a month",
- 18% do so "a few times a year",
- and 13% "never do so".
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Poland was famous for its unique religious tolerance (see Warsaw Confederation (1573)).
[edit] See also
- Roman Catholicism in Poland
- Eastern Orthodoxy in Poland
- Islam in Poland
- Buddhism in Poland
- Hinduism in Poland
- History of the Jews in Poland
- Bahá'í Faith in Poland
[edit] References
- ^ (Polish)/(English) "Concise Statistical Yearbook of Poland, 2008". Central Statistical Office, Poland. 28 July 2008. http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/PUBL_maly_rocznik_statystyczny_2008.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-09-19.
- ^ "Encyclopedia Britannica-Religion in Poland".
- ^ Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007. "Poland".
- ^ (Polish) Kościoły i związki wyznaniowe w Polsce. Retrieved on June 17, 2008.
- ^ Eurobarometer Poll 2005
- ^ (Polish) 94% Polaków wierzy w Boga
[edit] External links
- (Polish)/(English) Selected religious denominations in Poland, official statistics from 2001 (published in 2003)
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